Character Evolution in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables
Any character can fit into one of two categories, static or dynamic. One can consider the changes undergone by dynamic characters evolutions. These evolutions capture the reader's attention and focus in a novel. Victor Hugo masters the art of character change with both his characters Jean Valjean and Fantine. Quite simply, both Valjean and Fantine undergo substantial changes in their respective natures. Initially, the reader receives a very negative impression of Valjean. For a time, every character he encounters shuns him. Hugo describes him in the excerpt, "A man with a knapsack and a rope, and a terrible looking face" (Hugo 12). Furthermore, the local innkeeper throws him out, acting as if he has no vacancy. Truly the description, "Jean Valjean entered the galleys sobbing and shuddering; he went out hardened; he entered in despair; he went out sullen," fits Valjean like a glove (Hugo 20). Valjean soon proves the public's view of him to be well justified. After a kind and selfless priest brings Valjean in from the cold, Valjean repays him by thieving his silver. Miraculously, the priest gives him another
chance at redemption by deceiving the police; he adds the brief message, "you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man" (Hugo 30). However, Valjean commits one last act of wickedness. Valjean steals a silver piece from a young boy. Soon after, Valjean does indeed make an evolution in his character. He seeks frantically to return Petite Gervais coin. The quotation, "what a wretch I am," signifies to the reader this change in Valjean. This change remains permanently in Valjean. Some years later, a fire burns in Montreuil sur Mer. Valjean "rushed into the fire and saved two children" (Hugo 44). Finally, the public sees the changes in Valjean, though they know not his true identity. Yet, His character continues to change for the better. Jean Valjean's goodness seems to know no bounds when he saves an innocent man from life imprisonment only by sacrificing his own freedom. Valjean changes for no other reason than personal will and pure-heartedness. Clearly, Valjean's evolution from scoundrel to saint exemplifies Hugo's mastery of character change. Hugo uses both Fantine's physical appearanc
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Approximate Word count = 758
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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